A Winter's Date

by Sasha Brümmer

  My nerves just kicked into overdrive as I pull away from their house. This is where I was supposed to grow up and enjoy a carefree lifestyle, but none of that happened. I search for a hotel nearby and decide on the Maidstone Boutique Hotel. It’s a longer drive to Henry and Ellery’s house than the hotels around here, but I’m rather enjoying the thought of spoiling Heather.

  I put the SUV into park and stare out at nothing in particular. Their house is burned into my mind, and I can’t help but think about what my life would have been like. What did they do for work? Do I have any cousins? Is my fath . . . is Henry some hard-ass who will be difficult to get along with? I find myself rubbing my jaw, lost in thought about my impending future.

  Tomorrow, everything changes. Either I’ll meet and forget them for my remaining years, or they’ll be a part of my life forever. I exhale deeply and run my hand up the back of my head.

  Fuck. I can’t do this.

  I look back at Heather, and her lips are slightly parted while she dreams. I rest my head on the steering wheel and watch her sleep. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before, but I could have asked her what they were like. What she remembers. Hell, she didn’t stay with them for much time at all. In fact, she couldn’t get away fast enough. Shit . . . this was a bad idea.

  I can only imagine what Ellery is like. Visions of a snooty, rich woman who’s afraid to get dirty fill my thoughts.

  Will I look like them?

  Would I have played rugby or polo instead of football?

  My little ballerina stirs and reaches out as if she’s looking for me. I take a deep breath in, then let it out gradually.

  I get out of the SUV and grab her purse, our bags, and my wallet. I lock the Range Rover while I go inside and walk to the front desk. The hotel is unique and gorgeous; I really think Heather is going to love this place.

  A middle-aged woman with a silver pin in her pale blonde hair greets me. “Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation with us?”

  “’Evening. No, I do not. I was hoping that you’d have a room available. I know it’s short notice.”

  She checks her computer before giving me an answer. “Yes, sir, you are in luck. We have one room available. It is called the Edvard Munch room with a king-sized bed.”

  “That will be great, thank you.” I take my wallet out and hand her my credit card and license.

  Moments later a bellhop appears and loads our bags onto the cart.

  “Thank you, Mr. Ryan, you are all set. You still have an hour to place your room service order for the morning, if you are interested. Please enjoy your stay.”

  “Thank you. Have a good evening,” I add politely and follow the bellhop up to the Edvard Munch room. I open the door, and he brings in our bags. After I tip him, he thanks me politely and walks out. I follow behind him and head back outside to the SUV.

  When I unlock the door and open it, she’s still sound asleep. I chuckle to myself and lean down to wake her. “Heather, baby, wake up. We’re here.” I brush my knuckles across her porcelain skin to try to stir her awake.

  “Hmm?” she mumbles and reaches for me.

  “I need you to get up and come to bed with me.”

  Her eyes are still closed when she nods, and I help her to sit up.

  This time I actually chuckle out loud because her wild hair is stuck to her face when she sits up. “Damn, you are adorable.” I reach up and move her hair away from her face as her eyes blink open slowly. I smile and help her slip her flat shoes on. “Hi, gorgeous girl. You ready for bed?”

  She takes in a breath of the clean spring air and gives me the utmost glittering, sleepy smile I have ever seen. “I think so, but where are we?”

  “Not far from their place,” I reply before taking her hand and helping her out of the backseat.

  She steps onto the ground and wraps her arms around my torso, holding me close as she takes in a deep breath.

  I reach into the SUV and grab her blanket before closing the door and leading her inside. I watch as she blinks a few times, attempting to wake up and take in this gorgeous boutique hotel.

  “Noah . . .”

  “Yes?” I rub her back softly as I walk her inside.

  “This place is gorgeous. We’re staying here?”

  “Yes, we are.”

  I lead her up to the room and open the door; she gasps in quiet awe before walking in. The room is decorated in hues of gold and black with the king-sized bed taking up most of the available space. The black headboard is lined in a golden frame, and above it hangs four different sized and shaped mirrors. An antique leather chair takes up the space in the corner, and it’s all the room needs. Heather’s arms tighten around me, and I lift her, carrying her to the oversized bed and setting her down.

  “Is this place going to work for the weekend?”

  “Noah, it’s absolutely perfect.” She beams up at me and pats the bed. “Come sleep with me; you look exhausted.” She gives me a small frown and sits up, sudden worry flashing across her face. “What’s wrong?”

  I pull my clothing off and get into the bed in just my boxer briefs.

  “Nothing is wrong. I’m just nervous as hell. Would you mind doing something for me? Tomorrow morning when we’ve both gotten some sleep, would you mind telling me about them?”

  I watch her as she undresses and crawls under the covers with me. She’s completely naked and looks momentarily confused about where her bra and panties are.

  “Of course I will. Everything is going to be fine, okay?” she replies softly as she faces me, lying on her side.

  “Thank you, ballerina.” I reach out for her and pull her onto my chest where she belongs. “Why in the hell do you think you’re sleeping over there?” I ask playfully as she settles on top of me and gets comfortable.

  Her soft laugh makes me grin, and I reach over and turn out the light.

  “I just thought . . .” she tries to explain, but I interrupt her.

  “Yeah, well, you thought wrong.”

  That gets her to laugh again before we both start to drift off into a comfortable place. I am moments from passing out while listening to her breathe when her voice startles me.

  “Noah?”

  “Yeah?” I reply with my eyes closed.

  She hesitates before answering me in a harsh whisper. “Are you asleep?”

  I breathe out and kiss the top of her head. “Not yet, baby.”

  “I have to pee, and I’m sticky” she spits out quickly.

  I chuckle and pat her ass. “Then go.”

  She lifts her body from mine, and I instantly hate the loss. “Don’t listen, okay?” She asks before climbing out of bed and padding over to the bathroom naked. I smile to myself at her odd request, and then burst out laughing when I hear the exhaust vent turn on and the sink running water simultaneously. A few moments later I hear the shower start. Hell, what my girl won’t do.

  HEATHER

  We’ve been lying awake for a few hours now as the sun rises behind the drawn curtains of the hotel room. His thoughts must be racing because neither one of us has said a word to each other. His chest is warm, and I’m so comfortable in my spot; if we didn’t have plans today, then I would refuse to move. His warm hand moves down from the back of my shoulders to the small of my back.

  “Heather?”

  “Mhmm?” I reply softly and nuzzle his chest.

  “Do I look like them?” His voice is cool, almost dark; I know he’s anxious.

  His question takes me by surprise, and I have to think back to give him a proper answer. “You have your mother’s eyes, I believe.” I smile and look up at him. “But if I recall correctly, I think you’ve outgrown your dad. He’s tall, but you’re taller.”

  He listens quietly as his hands roam around my back. “Do you remember anything about them? What were they like?”

  I clear my throat as I think back on that sad time in my life. I’ve blocked it out, but now I’ll boldly jump into that darkness for him. “
Well, both of your parents were extremely understanding. They knew what I was going through and were remarkably loving. Your mom . . .” I stop and smile. “ . . . she would make me the best hot chocolate. It’s been my favorite ever since, and I’ve yet to be able to perfect it.”

  His tense muscles relax slightly as I tell him they took care of me; of course he’s more concerned about my past than his future. He’s put me first since day one. “Do you think they’ll remember you?”

  I chew at my cheek and think on that. “I would imagine they would, but I don’t know how many children they’ve fostered over the years. I could have been one out of a dozen.”

  “But you were their first?”

  “Yes, as far as I know.”

  He presses his lips to the top of my head and inhales. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

  I can’t imagine how he must be feeling, but I can hear his heart beat rapidly, as if he’s just run a mile. “Hey, you’re going to be just fine. You can do this—I’ll be right there with you. You’ll feel so much better once you’ve met them. Think of this as a new chapter in your life.”

  “Yeah, chapter thirty, in a long and seemingly empty book—with the exception of the prologue, of course. I suppose we better get up and get ready.”

  I move off of his chest and sit up, looking down at him as he lies on his back. “Would it help if I wore those shorts today?” I grin.

  My comment brings some of the color back to his face. “Did you bring them with you?”

  My smile widens, and I pinch his nipple playfully. “Yes, I did. When you mentioned them the other night, I made sure to pack them.”

  His body reacts by sending the slightest spasm through his chest. “Fuck, I can’t wait to see them again.”

  Before I can tell what’s happening, he scoops me off of the bed and hauls me over his shoulder, so I get the perfect view of his muscular butt as he walks into the bathroom and turns the shower on.

  I can’t help but smack his firm tush quickly before he sets me on my feet. “Okay, I’ll shower with you, but no funny business, Noah. I know how you get.” I try to keep the mood light so he stays upbeat and positive.

  “Funny business? Have you named my cock now?”

  I laugh and step under the warm spray. “No, but if I did, your cock’s name would not be ‘funny business.’”

  “I’m glad you take my cock seriously, ballerina.” He starts washing his chest, up and under his arms, and back up the other side until his torso is scrubbed and covered in suds.

  Our shower proceeds in silence, partly because now I’m the one thinking about funny business and what I could do to accidentally slip and fall on his penis. But it’s mostly because he’s lost in thought as well. Last week, when we were lying in bed, he broke my heart when he whispered, “What if they don’t like me?” I knew that would never be the case but how do I answer that? I know that this is what is weighing heavily on his mind at this very moment.

  Once we’re both showered and ready to go, I walk in front of him as we leave the hotel room. His hands come around my hips hard and fast as he pulls me back against him, “Dammit, Heather, this ass . . .”

  I gasp at the sudden movement and look up and over my shoulder at him. “What? You can barely see it. I wore this maxi dress specifically for that reason. You don’t need any distractions today.”

  And neither do I, I add quietly to myself.

  His storm is brewing close enough for me to hear it. “You owe me, ballerina.”

  “For what?”

  “For teasing me with those shorts and then deciding not to wear them in the end.”

  A sting from his hand warms my butt, and I step forward out of his storm clouds.

  “We’re going to be late if you don’t control that monster.”

  “Monster, huh? I like that better than funny business.”

  I blush a deep crimson because I didn’t mean to let him know how I secretly refer to his cock. He opens the passenger side door for me knowingly and watches every move of my body as I get up and into the seat.

  Crap. I’m so busted.

  His smirk tells me everything I need to know: he loves my nickname for him. He shuts the door quickly and moves his able body around the car to the driver’s seat. He gets in effortlessly and pulls out of the parking lot, heading west down the Montauk Highway toward Southampton.

  He’s rubbing his jaw slowly as he drives, lost in his head—which is just as well for I don’t have any words for him. The tension in the car is palpable, and I’m almost suffocating from it. I reach out and take his hand in mine, doing my best to comfort him.

  The thirty-minute drive passes quickly and once we get off the highway, it takes us all of five minutes to get to the gate of Henry and Ellery’s home.

  I look over at him and rub his jean-clad thigh gently. “Go on, baby, I’m here.”

  The gate opens before he can roll down the automatic window and hit the call button. They must be as anxious to meet him as he is to meet them. Noah slowly lowers his foot onto the gas pedal, and the Range Rover moves down the driveway slowly until their home is in full view.

  It’s breathtaking. I inhale deeply to steady myself and speak quietly.

  “I’ve not been here before; this is new for me too.”

  I hear him swallow his fear as he parks and gets out of the SUV to make his way around to me. He pulls the door open while his eyes are still locked on the front door of their house.

  I climb out slowly and let the skirt of my dress fall to my feet. He takes my hand and looks down at me, cupping the underside of my chin. “If I say I’m ready to leave, we leave. Okay?”

  I place my hand over his and reach up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Okay.”

  He doesn’t say a word; he just kisses me gently and lets go of my chin before walking side by side with me up their walkway. My heart is beating wildly, and I can feel his pulse against my fingers. We reach the front door, and he rings the doorbell, and then steps back. We’re both nervous wrecks, and if I told him to run at this exact moment, I think he would.

  We both hear the door handle move at the same time because our eyes shoot to each other’s and then back to the door.

  It opens suddenly and within seconds we’re face to face with Noah’s parents. There’s an awkward moment of silence before they step out of the house and onto the first step. My hands are trembling, and I look up nervously at him. He’s just staring at the two of them.

  Ellery can’t dash the tears away fast enough with her right hand while she holds onto Henry with her left.

  He squeezes my hand when Henry’s deep voice breaks the silence. “Son.”

  I think Noah’s about to bolt when I feel his arm tense up—I can practically feel every muscle in his body react to that one word. Rubbing my thumb gently along the outside of his hand, I try to relax him. Before Noah even replies, Henry extends his right hand to him, and I feel Noah let go of mine.

  They shake firmly as my Greek god says, “Good morning.”

  Suddenly and without warning, there’s a squeak. Before I even know what happened, Ellery all but lunges at Noah and wraps her thin arms around his waist. She’s buried her face in his chest and is crying into his slate grey t-shirt. Her sobs are racking her body, and I can’t help but stare in shock—we all do.

  Noah’s arms are set wide apart as he hesitates to touch her, but he makes up his mind and does, wrapping his arms around his mother. A sob somehow escapes my lips, and I quickly place my hand over my mouth. Oh Noah . . .

  He engulfs her delicate frame, and I’m melting.

  My eyes tear up as I watch Noah lower his head to rest his cheek on the top of her head. He stands there, holding his mother in his arms for the first time, while she cries. He would have no recollection of being held by the Somers, so to him, this is the first time he’s ever gotten the physical affection of a parent who truly loves him unconditionally. Henry and I are both captivated in the moment, watching Ellery sh
iver in her son’s arms.

  Noah surprises me when he lifts his head and ever so gently places a kiss on the top of her head. “It’s okay . . .”

  She sobs some more, and Noah’s broad, brooding shoulders relax to a light rain shower. She loosens her arms, and Noah straightens up. Looking up at him, Ellery smiles warmly.

  Her chestnut hair is shining in the warm sunlight as she speaks. “Welcome home, Noah. Oh, look at me: I can’t hold myself together. Please . . . please do come inside. I have breakfast ready.”

  I feel like an outsider, like I shouldn’t be here.

  That moment with Noah and his mother was so personal, so profoundly emotional. I don’t want this moment to ever be over for him. It’s better than I could have ever dreamed of. Seconds pass, and Henry steps forward. I watch in silence as he takes Noah and hugs him. The two men, who look very much alike but differ by many years, hug for a long and quiet moment. The only sound I hear is Ellery, sobbing into a tissue beside her husband and son.

  Both men pull apart, and Noah swallows slowly before he’s able to clear his throat. “I don’t know exactly what to say; this is a lot to take in . . .” His politeness wins over his emotions as he looks over at me and reaches for my hand, ensuring I haven’t run for the hills.

  I give him my hand and step a little closer to him. I really wish I wasn’t present right now. This needs to be just the three of them.

  “Henry . . . Ellery . . . this is my girlfriend, Heather.”

  He introduces me and Ellery sniffles some more. They both turn to me, and I’m praying there’s no recognition. Both of them smile at me, and Ellery walks over to give me a brief hug.

  “Welcome, honey, we’re so happy to meet you as well.”

  I think I relax a little because my smile isn’t forced. “Thank you for allowing me to be here,” I say before hugging her back. I feel relieved that they haven’t made the connection; I want this to be about Noah.

  Ellery lets me go after squeezing my upper arms. “My, aren’t you pretty? Henry, isn’t she just darling?” she asks as she turns to him.